Last seasons derby match at the Emirates proved to be pivotal. Had we won the match, we'd have probably continued on with our march to consolidating 3rd spot and travelling the London Underground would not be littered with constant reminders of our implosion. Instead the day served to illustrate that not all was well and that tactically we lacked any shrewdness and astuteness and invited Arsenal to rejuvenate a season that some of their fans had already given up on, leaving long before half time.

The game was a catalyst. It sent them one way and us in the opposite direction.

Villas-Boas template for the 'new' Tottenham has stuttered due to the injury of Dembele meaning our midfield presence has been halved, with Sandro left alone to carry the weight but with no one to share it with. Dembele a signing that looked the part from the moment he played and one that has taken to the role given to him. He's quality is such, that he simply slotted in effortlessly. Then we lost him.

We do not have a midfield creative outlet.

We do not have cohesion in the middle because players selected are there because there is no direct alternative.

Our form, was always likely to dip, considering our form was never outstanding to start of with. Was it avoidable? Could Villas-Boas have handled it differently?

City 2 Spurs 1

This morning I received a review copy of 'The Biography of Tottenham Hotspur' by Julie Welch (via Vision Sports Publishing). Can't wait to get stuck into it. I've only had time to read the press release info where I found one or two things staring back at me with a heavy hint of irony.

'...the club has a proud tradition of ambition, excellence and of playing football the right way, 'the Spurs way'. It is an unspoken but implicit prerequisite that means that the teams who pull on the famous lilywhite shirts will always endeavour to entertain and exhilarate the club's fans with fast, quick-passing, attacking football. "The game," as the great Spurs captain Danny Blanchflower so succinctly put it, "is about glory"...'

It's part of our character, our tradition. It's also been part of the problem, forever trying to emulate a period of time that will never be emulated, simply because football is not the same game it was back then. Spurs, under Arthur Rowe and later on Bill Nicholson, innovated. Created styles, iconic moments in history. Defined what it means to be Tottenham Hotspur.

In these modern times we desire a restoration of a classic when we should be attempting to paint an original. Our current predicament finds our painter with a variety of missing colours from his palette. Both ears still on his head, but I'd hardly blame him for cutting one of them off.

Interviewed by Typical City in their 'Inside the Opposition' series which you can find here. Also shared below.

Well done to everyone who turned up and sang for ninety minutes up in the top corner of the Shelf, Block J. It made such a difference on the night and it proved that there are plenty of like-minded individuals who desire the same match-day experience, to sing continuously without complacency no matter what is happening on the pitch but to also be reactive and proactive at the same time (for example, singing after the Lloris/Naughton mistake and into half-time). The reaction from the rest of the ground wasn't as relentless in response, but perhaps others that witnessed it and couldn't start a song in their block might wish to be part of 1882 next time round. 

Our gaffer admits that the system we played last night works and that it isn't too different from our normal system, yet I can't help but think that we'll settle back to what we know (away from) home on Sunday against City.

Tottenham 3 Maribor 1

Middle ground, discovered and conquered. Although it remains to be seen if we plant a flag and set up camp or move onto more familiar territory. Andre Villas-Boas, with new hair cut and new formation. On paper, a more traditional 442 with both Defoe and Adebayor in the starting line-up. In actuality, it was not too dissimilar to the usual 451 variant but with key differences. Adebayor's inclusion gave us a more refined shape and purpose. The link up play he provided for midfield to attack was imperative to the flow and fluidity of our movement. It rejuvenated us. Sure, with two forwards you can argue it's still a 442 even if one of the forwards is deep-lying and not too dissimilar to the role Dempsey has in the side. Adebayor sacrificing time up front, taking markers with him and freeing Defoe's predatory instincts. Call it what you want on paper, but out on the pitch it worked wonders.

Tonight we play Maribor at The Lane. The 1882 movement will be up in Block J of the Shelf stand.

We expect a night of fantastic atmosphere in a battle of noise with the passionate Slovenian support.

We hope to match them song for song in an attempt to drive the team forward to a victory we desperately need if we’re going to make it out of the group stages of the Europa League.

Tottenham 0 Wigan 1 (drafted on Saturday night)

What do we expect? A backlash after our cup exit? Hardly relevant to matters of the league, as disappointing as it was to lose the tie so late on in the evening. Opponents should always feel like they're facing a backlash when visiting. Doesn't always play out that way. Today, at White Hart Lane, we await that elusive target of complete game domination. Bossing the tempo, pulling the strings in midfield and attacking with relentless energy down the flanks. Whether we're capable of doing so is the reason we tune in and turn up every other week in hope.

Tuesday to Friday evening. Just under four days worth of being on the outside looking in but not being able to see much because the curtains are drawn. What I do know are scraps that I've picked up simply from the quick browse or glance to a television. I've hardly been on the moon. Travel and work combined with ridiculously early starts thanks to my daughter deciding that 4am wake up screams is the new fad. In amongst all the unavoidable life obstacles and sleep deprivation I've also had to deal with this little olde blog and migrating it from one platform to a more polished newer version. And here it is. I hope you like it.